Today we hosted the Chalk-Air women’s team at the Bellville velodrome. 6 women from the team joined us for a “Try out track” session. It was the first time ever on a track bike for four of the riders.
The session started with learning to start and to stop. We then proceeded with a game of “follow the leader” where the instructors from the Bellville velodrome track community guided the riders to get used to riding faster and slower.
This was followed by each instructor taking a rider around the track for 4 laps.
Everyone was now ready for more and a 10 minute warm-up followed. This was then followed by 2 x half lap all out sprints to activate the legs.
We finished the session with 2 groups of 3 riding paceline and changing in the bends on every lap.
All of the riders finished the day with big smiles and are looking forward to structured training at Bellville velodrome.
Track Cycling SA club provides structure for riders from other disciplines to experience the joy of track cycling. Here is why we recommend considering track cycling.
Beginner sessions – Track Cycling SA club helps new riders to get started in a supporting environment.
Access to bikes – New riders start on the club’s bikes. There is no barrier to entry.
Structured training – We have free training sessions at the velodrome.
Fun and excitement – Riding on the banked walls is exhilarating. The atmosphere is lively. There is a huge sense of achievement.
Camaraderie and community – Track cycling involves training and racing with others, which can create strong bonds and a sense of community.
Improved skills – Better bike handling skills and race craft.
Safe environment- No cars, no pedestrians, no wind, no rain, and no dark. First Aid level 2 and Guardian approved club staff. Structured training.
Track Cycling SA club offers free track intro sessions at Bellville velodrome. Bikes and coaching are provided. Our next one is a Women’s track day on Sunday, 19 Jan. Pre-bookings close on Tuesday, 14 Jan.
The Paarl Boxing day sports was first held in 1898 at the Faure st stadium in Paarl. This year this prestigious event saw more than 100 riders from under 11 to veterans compete.
Track Cycling SA club had a strong scholars contigent at meeting.
The women’s events saw racing between Anya du Plessis (elite) and the 3 juniors that are going to Appeldoorn (Ned) in January. They are Mianette Theron, Hannie Vreken and Nikalau Volsteedt. The under 17 rider, Catelina Rose Lamers, rode up to the junior category. Anya put in a dominant performance and showed why she is a Protea track cyclist. She won all 3 of her races convincingly.
Nikalau Volsteedt warming up
The junior men saw a strong field with Matt Sym, Gustav Roller, Zaine Salzwedel, Morgan Jones and Sparkle Schultz competing for top honors.
The elimination race podium. L to r: Gustav Basson, Josh Dike and Ethan Kulsen
However the top rider of the day was the Gauteng rider, Josh Dike. He won both the points race and the elimination race.
Top rider of the day, Josh Dike.
The highlight of the day was the 25-mile race. 34 riders started and the race was run at a blistering pace from the gun when Matthew Sym attacked. Josh Dike then later took a lap on his own, but Gustav Basson gave chase and also took a lap on his own. Dike attacked again just before Basson caught the bunch. He took Gustav Roller and Daniyal Matthews with. The trio took a lap, but at that stage Gustav Basson was also on his way to take a 2nd lap with Sparkle Schultz and Zaine Salzwedel in tow. Salzwedel dropped off back to the main bunch, but Schultz took the lap with Basson. Dike was not taking chances with in a sprint and gained half a lap before Basson and Schultz bridged. He took a solo ride to a dominant victory.
Sparkles Schultz (left) was the first junior in the 25-mile and 4th overall
The 25-mile podium l to r: Gustav Basson, Josh Dike and Daniyal Matthews.
Track cycling is a fast and exciting sport, but many people don’t know how to get into the sport. One such example is Track Cycling SA club member, Kerry Jonker. She was already an accomplished road cyclist at professional level, but started quite late on the track.
She only did her first race at Bellville velodrome riding one of the clubs bikes in 2021. She duely won a race from a very long sprint on that evening! Subsequently she went on to earn her Protea track cycling colours by representing South Africa internationally in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Kerry Jonker at Adelaide velodrome in 2024
The bike is usually the barrier to entry because it is designed for velodrome use with a fixed gear and no brakes. Riders pedal slower to come to a stop. Track Cycling SA club takes away the barrier of investing in a fixed gear track bike by offering free track introductions to women and scholars. Free access to bikes are provided at these sessions.
The next Womens track day is on Sunday 19 Jan 2025.
Track Cycling SA club has level 2 first aid, UCI level 1 coaching and The Guardian clearance at our track days.
It is a safe and welcoming environment to try out track. The only warning is that it can be too much fun and that one will get hooked on pedaling fast and turning left!
Track Cycling SA club invited all the new scholars from last week to join a free Sunday Fun Day session at Bellville velodrome. The session was hosted by Duncan McIntyre. At the end of the session we were seeing riders doing 1 lap sprints while controlling their bikes at speed.
These sessions happen every Sunday except for race weekends or if the velodrome is hosting another event.
The young Sparkles Schultz from Track Cycling SA club attended a month long UCI training camp in Paarl during November.
Sparkles covered more distance than ever in the month. He was introduced to group training and also learned how it is to stay away from home for a substantial period.
Sparkles (3rd from right) with the UCI continental training group.
The camp set Sparkles up for the next three track events namely the Western Cape Grand Prix, the Eddie Kulsen GP and Paarl Boxing day.
Track cycling is the ideal cycling discipline to develop bunch riding skills, speed and power in a safe environment.
Some of the best professional riders in the world including past world champions have a track background.
Locally there are many success stories such as that of TrackCyclingSA club member, Sparkles Schultz. He started out on the track two years ago at Bellville velodrome. He was only 15 years old. He recently went on a training camp at the UCI centre in Paarl. He was chosen because of his performances at track cycling nationals and the Bellville velodrome league series.
Sparkles Schultz right
Nikalau Volsteedt is also a rider who progressed rapidly after her track cycling introduction. She joined TrackCyclingSA on the velodrome as an under 17 rider. She won the national championship in the junior elimination race in March this year. She is from a MTB background, but quickly adapted to the velodrome with the support of the club.
Nikalau Volsteedt
The track bicycle is usually the barrier to entry for new riders since these are the only bikes allowed on the slopes of the Bellville velodrome. They have a fixed gear and no brakes. Riders slow down by pedaling slower. TrackCyclingSA club removes the barrier by providing free access to bikes for 13 to 17 year old scholars at our “Try out track” days.
The next session is on Sunday, 24 Nov. Pre-booking is essential to secure a bike. This is the last one for the year! Don’t miss out!
Vo2 max intervals may be beneficial to athletes who already have a solid aerobic endurance base and who have reached a power plateau. Vo2 max training may give a competitive advantage in events which require higher power demands such as track endurance events, hill climbs and criteriums.
The stimulus of VO2 max intervals can improve power. The VO2 max program below is ideal to help athletes to cycle at a higher power for longer within 4 weeks. It starts with short VO2 max intervals to boost power and then works up to longer intervals to sustain it.
